Riesling: A Versatile White

If you are interested in a white wine that will satisfy your palate, then perhaps Riesling is the wine for you. Riesling comes in a variety of dry, sweet, and semi-sweet. It can have a fruity or flowery bouquet, but sometimes has a mineral stone-type bouquet (such as quartz or slate stone).

Riesling grapes grow well in cooler climates with rocky soil, but with plenty of light. These conditions allow for a longer growing season. The Riesling farmer should also keep the vines well-pruned to keep the flavor concentrated. While many wines are aged in new oak, few Riesling producers use new oak to ferment their wine. This allows Riesling to have a lighter weight and keeps it available for pairing with a variety of foods, especially those of high salt content.

White wines are usually served chilled for optimum flavor, and Riesling is no different. Suggested serving temperature for a dry Riesling is 52°F (11°C), and sweet Rieslings are served slightly warmer.

Typical pricing for Rieslings run from £8.00 to £120.00, depending on the year, alcohol content, and region of origin. While Riesling originated in Germany, there are areas in France, Australia, New Zealand, Austria, the United States, Canada, South Africa, Chile, Central Europe, and Romania that produce Riesling.

When looking for a Riesling that will impress, look for any of the following labels: JJ Prüm, Domaine Zind-Humbrecht, Schloss Johannisberg, and F.E. Trimbach, to name only a few. You may pay a little more, but they are well worth it.  Make sure you buy your wedding wine on a sale or return basis!

To see all Riesling Wines available on a sale or return basis for your wedding or party, click here.